STUDY: Trust in travel agents on the rise amongst Aussies

The travel agent keeps tickets for the plane in the travel agency. She offers them to clients. She smiles. On the table she has a toy plane, a laptop.

Travel agents are well and truly back in vogue, with new research revealing 76 per cent of Aussies view agents as ‘a trusted source of travel and safety advice’.

This figure represents a whopping 19 per cent increase since 2012 when only 57 per cent said they viewed agents in this manner.

The research comes from the 2019 SureSave Travel Insurence Index, conducted by SureSave.

Matt Endycott, head of agency sales at SureSave said it was encouraging to see travellers continue to place such a high importance on agents’ specialised knowledge.

“Each year, we continue to see a high number of travellers in Australia turning to agents for travel advice,” he said.

According to the research, 38 per cent of Aussies used a travel agent to book their last overseas leisure trip. 20 per cent said their main reason for booking with an agent was because it is easier to book complex itineraries through an agent. 17 per cent said it was a matter of convenience.

23 per cent also sourced their travel insurance policy through an agent, making it the second most popular option after the 26 per cent who book direct.

“Whilst there are still those people who turn to the internet for help and information,  we are seeing that travel agents are highly regarded in the eyes of the general public and overall, travellers really want to maximise the expertise provided by agents,” Endycott said.

Latest News

  • Tour Operators

ATAS complaints process acknowledges non-economic loss

The Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) has announced enhancements to the ATAS complaints resolution process to allow for Non-Economic Losses to be considered to conserve time and costs for members and consumers. The changes were implemented after by a recent High Court ruling (Moore v Scenic Tours Pty Ltd) that established that damages for “disappointment […]

  • Cruise

Cunard previews new Queen Anne

The VIP experience included a series of expert panels, with key partners and collaborators across dining, design and wellness revealing how they brought Queen Anne’s headline concepts to life. Two Michelin-starred chef Michel Roux hosted an intimate Q&A in the Queens Room. The acclaimed chef has created an exclusive gala menu for Queen Anne‘s Queens […]

  • Destinations
  • Tour Operators

Bunnik Tours unveils latest expansion to Iceland

Bunnik Tours has announced its latest exciting expansion with the small tour specialist’s new Discover Iceland tour. Taking travellers to a bucket list icon, the tour explores the rugged landscapes and stunning glaciers that make Iceland such a hotspot. Kicking off in the capital, Reykjavik the tour then heads along the famous Ring Road to […]

  • Destinations

Australia’s first glamping retreat turns 25

Australia’s first ‘glamping’ property – Paperbark Camp on the NSW South Coast – has celebrated its milestone 25th birthday with a sumptuous, under-the-stars banquet. The deluxe eco retreat at Jervis Bay was opened on April 27, 1999, by Sydney couple Jeremy and Irena Hutchings who were inspired by the safari tents they saw on an […]

  • Products

Embrace the journey: Traversing the world with the Shokz OpenRun

If you’ve been on the wrong side of a final call in the airport, or missed the stop on rail journey, it might be time to invest in a pair of Shokz OpenRun headphones. Originally marketed as headphones for fitness fanatics, runners or cyclists with a keen to steer clear of a prang with a car, […]

  • Tourism

Tourism Western Australia MD Carolyn Turnbull departs

Tourism Western Australia MD Carolyn Turnbull is departing the agency with effect from Friday May 10. Over the past three years, Turnbull played an instrumental role in driving growth, with one of the agency’s most significant achievements being the increase in visitor spend. Under her leadership, Tourism WA achieved a record breaking $17.7 billion in […]

  • Travel Agents

DriveAway launches Brit-Euro Blitz campaign

DriveAway has launched its Brit-Euro Blitz: Explore the UK, Europe & Ireland campaign, designed to inspire travellers to uncover the beauty and diversity of those destinations during May and June. The campaign arrives amidst a surge in popularity for destinations across the UK, Europe and Ireland, with year-to-date increases averaging around 30%. Notably, cities such […]

  • Road & Rail

Fly and Stay Free with the Great Southern

Great Southern’s Fly and Stay Free special offer will have travellers taking in the views along the east coast between Adelaide and Brisbane next summer. This bright orange locomotive chases the summer sun, sharing the incredible coastline with those who want to experience it by train. The journey reflects the best of Australia, from charming […]

  • Tourism

Sober travel and TikTok guide Australian Gen Z trips

Gen Z travellers prefer to limit alcohol when overseas and have an increased reliance on TikTok when planning a trip, according to a report by StudentUniverse, the world’s largest online travel retailer for young people. The State of Student & Youth Travel Report for 2024 delved into the latest travel sentiments amongst those aged 18-25 […]

  • Tour Operators
  • Tourism

TTC: Deals are driving up demand for September trips

The latest market research from TTC Tour Brands shows interest in international leisure travel remains high for 2024, with 77 per cent of Australians over 18 still planning trips this year. Notably, 28 per cent of those travellers are eyeing September for their journeys. Europe continues to be the most popular destination, with 68 per […]

  • Aviation

Qantas ‘working urgently’ to fix app data leak

Qantas is looking into customer reports that passengers have this morning been able to access other passengers’ personal information on the airlines app. X user Lachlan posted that he was able log into different accounts every time he opened the app. My @Qantas app logs me in to a different person each time I open […]

  • Hotels

Revamped Wailoaloa Beach hotel opens as Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa

Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa is open and ready for bookings after the first phase of a multi-million-dollar transformation. Part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ premium collection, the transformation has seen the completion of 106 guestrooms showcasing contemporary interiors reflective of the premium Crowne Plaza brand and is a first for the […]

  • Luxury
  • News

Kamalaya Koh Samui clinches clutch of wellness awards

Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa has so far clinched five prestigious awards in 2024, including being inducted into the ‘Hall of Fame’ at the World Spa & Wellness Awards in London. Founders of the Koh Samui sanctuary and spa John and Karina Stewart expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the awards. “We are profoundly honoured […]